The Blog

KCDC’s Five Points 2 earns Keep Knoxville Beautiful award

March 11, 2019

Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation’s (KCDC) Five Points 2 recently was named a winner of the 2019 Orchids Awards, given annually by Keep Knoxville Beautiful.

Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation’s Five Points 2 in East Knoxville earned a 2019 Orchids Award in the category of new architecture from Keep Knoxville Beautiful at a ceremony on Feb. 28 in Knoxville. Five Points 2 is part of the four-phase revitalization of the Five Points neighborhood.

Five Points 2, which earned the award in the category of new architecture, is an affordable housing complex in East Knoxville that officially opened last September. The complex covers five acres and features 84 energy-efficient affordable housing units, infrastructure improvements, new sidewalks, green space throughout and a playground. The new architecture category recognizes developments demonstrating excellence in overall design, aesthetics, form and proportion; appropriate use of materials; and the magnitude of visual impact on the area.

“We appreciate being recognized by Keep Knoxville Beautiful, as this award further confirms that sustainable, affordable housing can also contribute to the beauty of our community,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said.

Ross/Deckard Architects and Johnson Architecture designed the development with Merit Construction as the construction contractor. KCDC’s owner’s representative on the project was Partners.

The Five Points Master Plan was developed with years of community input as a guide to replace the outdated Walter P. Taylor Homes and Lee Williams developments with modern affordable housing units. The full master plan is to be completed in four phases. In May 2018, KCDC officials broke ground on Five Points 3, and the final phase of the revitalization, Five Points 4, will break ground this year.

“We applaud the design and construction teams and other partners on this project who are making the revitalization of Five Points a reality,” Bentley said.

Keep Knoxville Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, promotes litter eradication, recycling and beautification efforts in Knox County communities using education, events and volunteer engagement. The organization has hosted the Orchids Awards since 1979 to recognize the architects, contractors, organizations, businesses and artists that have strived to improve the beauty of Knox County.